New MINI Cooper SD diesel launched

MINI has announced the introduction of the MINI Cooper SD, the most powerful diesel MINI ever. The car will be available to order next month and will have a basic price of £19,450.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine in the new Cooper SD produces 170bhp and has plenty of power for quick overtaking. The addition of the new model to the MINI hatchback range brings the total number of engines available to six – three petrols and three diesels – with the Cooper SD being the most powerful diesel version.

Thanks to MINI’s clever turbo technology, the diesel engine in the Cooper SD manages impressive performance and fuel economy. It’s capable of completing the 0-62mph sprint in 7.3 seconds but can also return 68.9mpg while emitting 109g/km of CO2, meaning the car will cost just £20 a year in road tax.

The entry-level diesel model in the MINI hatchback range is the MINI One D, which uses a 95bhp 1.5-litre engine. The car is capable of 83.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 89g/km for tax-free motoring – but is considerably slower than the new Cooper SD, taking 11 seconds to do 0-62mph.

The midway point between the One D and the new range-topping Cooper SD in the diesel line-up is the 116bhp MINI Cooper D. Economy figures of 80.7mpg and 92g/km of CO2 are slightly down on the One D but a 0-62mph time of 9.2 seconds means the car is noticeably quicker.

The MINI One D starts at £14,890, while the most basic MINI Cooper D is £16,450. From July, the Cooper SD offers MINI buyers a third diesel choice, with prices starting at £19,450.

For reviews of cars in the current MINI line-up, head over to Carbuyer’s dedicated MINI page.